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Twenty-one Rotarians assembled via Zoom, also joined by Honorary Member Elaine Olson. Tim Hunt offered the invocation and we recited the Pledge and The Four Way Test. It was announced that the Youth Exchange program for the 2021-22 year was again cancelled due to the pandemic so Erika Lahti will not have a chance to go abroad as a Rotary exchange student. We then followed with brags and fines, with Steve Leitte reporting his grandson graduated summa cum laude from college; Tim Hunt and Mary Pettit punched their brags and fine cards for having to leave the meeting early. President Anthony bragged about the Otter Cove and said that Keith's daughter McKenzie was there when he visited and a lot was learned from her about her father. Dan Johnson reported he is moving to Fargo to become the manager of the Fastenal store there, meaning, unfortunately, that he will be resigning from our club. Buzz Lundeen reported that both he and Ann received their first vaccine shots the week prior. Brian Tjaden announced he had joined Hatch Realty out of Fargo and is the expansion partner for Otter Tail County. Annie Welch spoke to us about Giving Hearts Day, scheduled for February 11, an event to raise funds for nonprofit organizations. We viewed a short video that contained messages from the seven local non-profits that have combined their efforts this year: A Wife Like Me, Freedom Resource Center, Health Resources Center, Inspiration Point Bible Camp, Lake Region HealthCare Foundation, LB Homes and Lutheran Brethren Seminary. Information regarding the collaboration and Giving Hearts Day is available on their Facebook page: facebook.com/FergusFallsgivingheartsday. Eric Price from the YMCA was our program and he talked about the impact of the pandemic on the Y's operations, indicating it was able to survive with the support of the community and grants it was able to obtain. He indicated it was fortunate that our local Y was in a good financial position when the outbreak started, having been debt free since 2016. The national YMCA first cut its staff in half and then had to cut it in half again to deal with the financial strain. As of this past fall, 30% of the YMCA's in the country were at risk of closing their doors. The first priority locally has been to protect the Y's ability to offer child care. Right now the capacity for that is limited to 65. There are currently seven full-time staff. Part-time staff has varied greatly and would range from 80 to 90 persons pre-pandemic but that is now significantly lower. The Y is operating under a very strict spending environment. Nonetheless, the staff is doing a great job. Eric also mentioned the pool reopened January 4th for reservations only and that registration for summer day camp will open in March. |
